It doesn't get any better than this.
Trip Start
May 09, 2008
1
7
Trip End
Ongoing
Hiroshima, Japan
Monday, August 4, 2008
On several occasions prior to my Asian arrival, I was asked, "So what aspect of this international move makes you the most anxious?" I never really had a clear answer because to be honest I didn't have time to ponder such things in my last few weeks in the states and I tend to go into situations like this blindly, hoping that my positive attitude keeps me afloat ("The Secret" anyone?). I am telling you it is not a hoax; that Rhonda woman, she's onto something! I can see how some might be frightened of the obvious language barrier, while others might fret about the marine cuisine. Well I can tell you one fear that I never considered and one that I should have anticipated and that is the fear of losing my own native tongue! Just last weekend, my critical case of word vomit acted as a form of entertainment for some. I was caught calling a food court a "mall cafeteria" and even worse I referred to my friend Susan's collarbone as her "neck anatomy." It is like a round my favorite family game, "Taboo," I am able to describe a term in the most complex way possible without finding the most fitting word for the certain scenario. It is actually quite frustrating. Hopefully, my blog maintenance and your emails will allow me to keep my English at a 5th grade level; this is if I am lucky!
This country's culture never ceases to amaze me. It is one marked with inexplicable pride (borderline exclusivity), impressive care and a polite sense of kindness. Aside from India, it has proven to be the most complex country that I have ever come across; it is a one-of-a-kind that's for sure. I don't think that I will ever come to grasp all of it's nuances; I am not sure if any" geijin" or outsider would be able to attain such a goal.
First the Japanese are unbelievably proud of their traditions. A couple weeks back I had a mother of one of my student's bring in her daughter's 4 foot long mobile to share with me. This was Mana's school project that exhibited the Japanese story about a princess and a prince, one that marks the beginning of summer and the end of the rainy season. This gesture made me feel relieved because Mana's mother is known to be a "monster parent" as the Japanese say. Monster parents are known to be VERY overprotective of their childrens' learning. There is a story that has recently surfaced in the Tokyo area regarding these so-called "monster parents." There was a situation at a public school involving the star role in "Cinderella," the school play. As a result of the competitive nature of monster parents, the school was forced to cast 12 Cinderellas simply because none of the parents would allow their children to be given less significant roles. Needless to say, I took this gesture as a sign of this mother's approval. It allowed me to breathe a sigh of relief; I was doing something right.
Second, I am constantly impressed with the degree of care that goes into everything that the Japanese do. When pay day rolls around every month, my manager presents my pay stub as though it were made of 14K gold. This slip of paper isn't even a check, it simply tells me that my money has been deposited directly into my bank account! Each month, she hands it to me with two hands and recites a series of lines as though it were some kind of ceremony. In addition, taxi cab rides have given me a lot of insight into Japanese courtesy and care. The doors open automatically, the seats are covered in stark white cloth lined with lace and at the end of each trip candy is given to customers as a small token of the driver's appreciation! Just today, I had a cab driver give me his business card for lunch. Yeah, what was he thinking?! Sorry, I don't go for guys over 30.
Finally, I am amazed with the Japanese sense of polite kindness. All of my male students, ranging in age from 3-14 years old, take their mothers' shoes out from the cubby holes where they are kept and place them down on the floor so that their mothers can simply slip them on before exiting the school. On one of my frequent daily trips to 7-11 ("seben ereben" as the Japanese say), I was chased down in the street after the employee was unable to fulfill my request for a receipt. As it turns out, after I left the "combini" as they call them, she had spent minutes digging through the trash just so that she could satisfy my need. I was absolutely stunned! During my weekend adventures, I frequently find myself asking natives for directions with my pathetic Japanese. I am almost always escorted to my destination. I have had people walk 10 minutes out of their way to ensure that I am able to find my way. My students have also demonstrated unbelievable degrees of generosity. Just two months into my teaching career at Oshiba, I have been invited to family dinners and I have been presented with scrap books illustrating all sorts of Japanese customs. Just this weekend, I was invited to an okinomiyaki party hosted by Junpei, a friend of my Japanese teacher, Yuko. I had only met this friend once and within days I was immediately considered to be part of the group. Yuko and her friends organized this event just so that I could learn how to make okinomiyaki, a traditional Hiroshima dish. My mouth is watering just at the thought of this scrumptious pancake delight. It is a magnificent mix of crepes, cabbage, green onions, seaweed powder, eggs, mayonnaise, octopus or pork and of course the magical okinomiyaki sauce. It sounds disgusting, I know, but when I make it for you all upon my return, you will understand.
Life has been nuts these past couple of weeks. We are in the middle of the summer holidays, so there are tons of children with extra time on their hands for English coaching. Basically for the entire month of July, I have taught nearly 40 classes a week with only one hour to scarf down a half of sandwich and I have had weekend guests galore! It has been surreal. With the blink of an eye, July has come and gone. I cannot believe that in a week, I will be on the summit of Mount Fuji 12,000 feet above sea level. The best part is, the morning of my 24th year will be spent experiencing the magnificent sunrise from the peak! Stay tuned for photos!
Frankly, my life is dream. I haven't been brought to tears yet as a result of homesickness or loneliness, I have been brought to tears with the realization of just how blissful and free my life is hear on my Asian archipelago. I love the food, even the fried octopus balls. In particular, I am addicted to watermelon kitkats and I have quite a liking for shrimp-flavored chips. I appreciate the language for all of its nuances and I adore all of my Japanese friends who have assumed the roles of Kimiko's Japanese teachers. I love the shrines that can be found around every street corner. Last but not least, I adore my bike, so much so that I have made two trips on the train to the bike refugee center just to rescue it. I consider it to be my other half. Yeah, so I could do without the 100 degree temperatures and 99% humidity. I could even do without the 50 hour work weeks that seem to be never-ending; however, I don't let these get in the way of my good life.
Anyone up for an Asian adventure?! I would love to host! Keep me posted!
Let me offer you this quote as a closing. It might just spark certain flame in you that is waiting to be ignited ;)
"Be not the slave of your own past-plunge into the sublime seas, give deep, and swim far, so you shall come back with self-respect, with new power, with an advanced experience, that shall explain and overlook the old." Ralph Waldo Emerson
Comments
Hi Kimiko!
Haha--as you probably recall, cab rides here are more like a near-death experience. Just yesterday, I was in a cab with a little sign posted in the corner that said: Excessive...Speed/Cell-Phone Use/Mistreatment? Call... My friends and I discussed for quite some time what would constitute 'excessive mistreatment.' Although I am not sure mistreatment is a word; I may have just invented it as a more literal translation of the Spanish...haha. Keep writing! Love and hugs.